Wet weather moving out before event-filled weekend

Miller Plaza in downtown Chattanooga is usually packed with music lovers on any given Friday night in the spring and summer. Tonight's crowd might shrink because of more rain expected during the evening.

"We have to pay these artists, anyway. They're here," says director Carla Pritchard. "They've committed their time and their schedule to be here to perform. So, we say the show goes on."

They don't cancel or reschedule. Performers stay dry under a canopy while on stage. The stage manager monitors the radar on his phones in case lightning is on the way during a concert. If necessary, they stop the show until the storm passes.

"A lot of people will just run to the pavilion. We do have a lot of standing rooms still on site with the pavilion," adds Pritchard.

The crew takes a common sense approach to setting up, covering equipment when a shower pops up. Pritchard admits some of the best shows have happened in the rain.

"If you're into the music at all, then you'll get a special opportunity to have maybe a smaller crowd, a more intimate musical experience," says Pritchard.

The rain was a bit of a nuisance while setting up for Jfest, another big weekend event. But director Ted Gocke didn't sweat it.

"Fortunately, we got started earlier in the week. On Monday we started. The tents came in Tuesday. We got all those set up," says Gocke.

Volunteers and other crew members took advantage of a few sunny days. Friday's rain, however, didn't dampen the spirits of those helping finish the job.